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Castor Aralia Kalopanax septemlobus

Description

Castor Aralia is a large flowering shade tree native to eastern Asia.  Plant in moist, high organic matter well-drained soil in the full sun to light shade.   This low maintenance plant has thorns and showy white flowers and black fruits.  The leaves resemble castor bean.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems but it can suffer in hot humid summers.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#thorns#showy flowers#deciduous#shade tree#white flowers#large tree#flowering tree#showy fruits#glossy leaves#deciduous tree#flowers late summer#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#thorns#showy flowers#deciduous#shade tree#white flowers#large tree#flowering tree#showy fruits#glossy leaves#deciduous tree#flowers late summer#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Kalopanax
    Species:
    septemlobus
    Family:
    Araliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Asia
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds enjoy fruits.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Oval
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Appendage:
    Thorns
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Fruit Description:
    Black fruits
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Umbles of white flowers appear in late summer.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Palmasect
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Dark green glossy toothed palmate leaves up to 14" wide with 5-7 lobes. Dull red fall color.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Ridges
    Bark Description:
    Mature bark is ridged, furrowed and dark gray.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns